The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to addressing root causes and mitigating impacts of crises and displacement through multi-sectoral programming. IOM aims to tackle the drivers of irregular migration and internal displacement, while reducing the risks and vulnerabilities faced by affected populations. IOM provides assistance primarily for mobile populations, including migrants, IDPs, and returnees, ensuring their immediate needs are met. Furthermore, it supports sustainable recovery, assisted safe and voluntary return and sustainable reintegration based on human rights principles, community stabilization, and durable solutions. This approach enhances humanitarian, peace building, and development efforts, empowering local actors as strategic partners.

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State of Fragility | High fragility |
In recent years, the humanitarian situation in Venezuela has worsened due to a protracted socioeconomic and political crisis, leaving vulnerable populations struggling to access basic services and livelihood opportunities necessary to meet the essential costs of living. As a result, many vulnerable families have been driven to resort to negative coping strategies, including selling assets, reducing their daily meals, and migrating either abroad or to Venezuela's border and mining regions in search of economic opportunities and access to essential resources.
As reported by the 2023 Annual Report of the United Nations, Venezuela's economy has experienced modest growth in 2023, making the second consecutive year of growth. This was largely due to a nine per cent increase in oil production, resulting from the temporary suspension of certain measures by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2023. Despite the official minimum wage remaining at approximately USD 4 per month, the government has increased non-wage bonuses to USD 70 per month and enhanced social security pensions to USD 20. These adjustments represent a notable improvement in real income for a significant portion of the population. Additionally, a moderate relaxation of domestic credit restrictions has resulted in an uptick in bank loans. According to the Venezuelan Central Bank, Venezuela’s economy grew by 8.5 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024, mainly boosted by a 14.5 per cent increase in oil output (averaging 874,000 bpd in 2024) and a rise in the price of Venezuelan oil in the first half of the year compared to 2023.
In recent years, the humanitarian situation in Venezuela has worsened due to a protracted socioeconomic and political crisis, leaving vulnerable populations struggling to access basic services and livelihood opportunities necessary to meet the essential costs of living. As a result, many vulnerable families have been driven to resort to negative coping strategies, including selling assets, reducing their daily meals, and migrating either abroad or to Venezuela's border and mining regions in search of economic opportunities and access to essential resources.
As reported by the 2023 Annual Report of the United Nations, Venezuela's economy has experienced modest growth in 2023, making the second consecutive year of growth. This was largely due to a nine per cent increase in oil production, resulting from the temporary suspension of certain measures by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2023. Despite the official minimum wage remaining at approximately USD 4 per month, the government has increased non-wage bonuses to USD 70 per month and enhanced social security pensions to USD 20. These adjustments represent a notable improvement in real income for a significant portion of the population. Additionally, a moderate relaxation of domestic credit restrictions has resulted in an uptick in bank loans. According to the Venezuelan Central Bank, Venezuela’s economy grew by 8.5 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024, mainly boosted by a 14.5 per cent increase in oil output (averaging 874,000 bpd in 2024) and a rise in the price of Venezuelan oil in the first half of the year compared to 2023. For 2025, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 3.1 per cent.
Nonetheless, Venezuela remains one of the world’s most inflationary economies and significant challenges persist regarding poverty, vulnerability, inequality, and access to basic services. The Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida (ENCOVI 2023) indicates that 82.8 per cent of the population lives in poverty based on income, while 51.9 per cent face multidimensional poverty, which includes limited access to housing, health care, social services, education, and employment. Furthermore, 89 per cent of households reported experiencing food insecurity and are unable to afford the cost of the monthly basic family food basket estimated at USD 539.79 as of October 2024 (Federación Venezolana de Maestros). Ongoing tensions and social unrest may potentially further affect the country’s economic growth.
Despite some economic stabilization in Venezuela, humanitarian needs in the country continue, with some 7.6 million people affected (according to the 2025 HNO) by the lack of basic services and access to health, food security, education, water and sanitation systems, nutrition, and protection, including child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), and mental health services. Human trafficking in is closely tied to these challenges, with victims—mainly women, adolescents, and vulnerable groups—being deceived through fake job offers and promises of migration. These dynamics have forced many vulnerable individuals and families to migrate to neighboring countries, or to border and mining areas seeking economic opportunities and/or access to services. The 2025 Humanitarian Overview underscores the urgency of the situation, indicating that one in four individuals nationwide (approximately 7.6 million) requires humanitarian assistance. Among these, 7.1 million need health services, 6.2 million in need of protection assistance (including child protection, and support survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking), 4.4 million food support, and 2.3 million shelter assistance. The presence of criminal gangs and non-state armed groups, particularly in border, mining, and urban regions, exacerbates the vulnerability of these individuals and communities, especially those on the move. In addition, climate change is intensifying extreme weather events such as floods and storms, leading to increased internal displacement.
These statistics highlight that while macroeconomic indicators show improvement, significant challenges related to inequality and poverty persist. At the same time, concerns have emerged regarding the protection of human rights and limitations on civic engagement, further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of those affected.
In this context, the lack of opportunities in host countries has resulted in a growing number of Venezuelan returnees, many of whom are compelled to return due to limited employment prospects, insecurity, and inadequate access to basic services abroad. This return migration further strains the already overstretched resources and services in Venezuela, highlighting the need for comprehensive support and sustainable solutions to address both the immediate and long-term challenges.
IOM leads several humanitarian coordination efforts, including the Working Group for the Prevention and Response to Human Trafficking and the Camp Management and Camp Coordination Working Group. It also co-leads the Technical Working Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and the Strategic Advisory Group of the Protection Cluster, which spearheads the Inter-agency Group on Human Mobility and Reintegration and actively participates in the Shelter Cluster, Protection Cluster, and the areas of responsibility (AoR) of Child Protection and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Through these initiatives, IOM has played a crucial role in the UN Network on Migration (UNNM) in Venezuela and has been instrumental in consolidating the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), contributing to crisis response planning.
The complementary nature of humanitarian and sustainable development responses has been a primary focus of the UN’s action. In 2022, the Venezuelan government signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) (2023-2026), which, along with the extension of the 2024-2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, forms the UN’s programmatic response in Venezuela, integrating the pillars of Humanitarian Action, Development, and Peace. Under this framework, IOM leads the UNNM in Venezuela, working alongside various UN agencies to foster inter-agency collaboration and implement the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). This includes facilitating consultations to integrate migration into the UNSDCF by incorporating initiatives that address migration-related issues.
At the local level, IOM actively participates in the Local Coordination Forums (LCF) established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which facilitates effective responses, coordination, and operational synergies on the ground. Additionally, IOM's sustained field presence has fostered strong relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and civil society, ensuring access to the most remote and vulnerable communities.
IOM has established partnerships with over 20 local organizations and partners across the country, which have strengthened its response capabilities through a localized approach. Its operational capacity is further enhanced by the implementation of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), which operates in over 335 municipalities, generating critical data on migration flows and needs assessments, including thematic reports such as on human trafficking, that inform the crisis response planning of various agencies and partners.
IOM leads several humanitarian coordination efforts, including the Working Group for the Prevention and Response to Human Trafficking and the Camp Management and Camp Coordination Working Group. It also co-leads the Technical Working Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and the Strategic Advisory Group of the Protection Cluster, which spearheads the Inter-agency Group on Human Mobility and Reintegration and actively participates in the Shelter Cluster, Protection Cluster, and the areas of responsibility (AoR) of Child Protection and Gender Based Violence (GBV). Through these initiatives, IOM has played a crucial role in the UN Network on Migration (UNNM) in Venezuela and has been instrumental in consolidating the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), contributing to crisis response planning.
The complementary nature of humanitarian and sustainable development responses has been a primary focus of the UN’s action. In 2022, the Venezuelan government signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) (2023-2026), which, along with the extension of the 2024-2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, forms the UN’s programmatic response in Venezuela, integrating the pillars of Humanitarian Action, Development, and Peace. Under this framework, IOM leads the UNNM in Venezuela, working alongside various UN agencies to foster inter-agency collaboration and implement the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). This includes facilitating consultations to integrate migration into the UNSDCF by incorporating initiatives that address migration-related issues.
At the local level, IOM actively participates in the Local Coordination Forums (LCF) established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which facilitates effective responses, coordination, and operational synergies on the ground. Additionally, IOM's sustained field presence has fostered strong relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and civil society, ensuring access to the most remote and vulnerable communities.
IOM has established partnerships with over 20 local organizations and partners across the country, which have strengthened its response capabilities through a localized approach. Its operational capacity is further enhanced by the implementation of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), which operates in over 335 municipalities, generating critical data on migration flows and needs assessments, including thematic reports such as on human trafficking, that inform the crisis response planning of various agencies and partners.
IOM has maintained a presence in Venezuela since 1952 and over the years, it has collaborated closely with key partners to address migration-related issues and humanitarian needs. IOM’s interventions include the establishment of a comprehensive assistance and protection network to respond to large-scale movements of people. IOM has successfully maintained an effective emergency response programme that reaches some of the most vulnerable and remote areas of the country, providing humanitarian assistance, mitigating protection risks and providing specialized protection services and early recovery programmes in 14 of the 23 states. Its strategy focuses on a human security perspective on migration, focusing on the humanitarian and protection needs of communities along migratory routes, as well as in transit and host areas, with particular emphasis on conflict sensitivity. In 2024 alone, IOM assisted over 97,167 individuals (14,532 girls; 13,587 boys; 39,522 women; 29,526 men) through multi-sectoral programmes encompassing shelter; camp coordination and camp management (CCCM); non-food items; protection specialized services (supporting survivors of violence, exploitation, abuse or neglect); promoting safe, dignified and right-based return, readmission, and sustainable reintegration; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); health; mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); food security; and community stabilization activities.
With its main office in Caracas, IOM operates sub-offices at the borders with Colombia and Brazil, in San Cristóbal and another in Santa Elena de Uairén (Venezuela-Brazil border), in addition to field offices across various states, including), Puerto Ayacucho (state of Amazonas), Puerto Ordaz/Ciudad Guayana (state of Bolivar), Maracaibo (state of Zulia) along with operational presences in Apure and Falcón states.
IOM has consolidated a portfolio of 20 local and international partners, including women-led organizations , that guarantee adequate capacity with high standards, strengthening the response with a strong localization approach.
IOM’s operational capacity has been complemented with the DTM, implemented in over 2,500 communities (14 states), generating and sharing information on migration flows, trends, multisectoral assessment, and monitoring risks within IOM, UN Agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations (I/NNGOs), donors, government counterparts and relevant partners.
IOM works closely with key authorities in Venezuela to address migration-related issues and, more recently, to respond to humanitarian needs arising from crises and large-scale movements, building a comprehensive assistance and protection network.
IOM engages in political advocacy and provides technical support to government officials, strengthening capacities at both national and subnational levels. The Organization collaborates with authorities across several sectors of IOM’s Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF); protection, focusing on counter trafficking activities and assisted voluntary return and reintegration (AVRR); CCCM and disaster risk reduction for civil defense authorities; health, mental health, and psychosocial support, as well as basic infrastructure for health authorities; and climate change initiatives.
IOM Venezuela has also encouraged government's active participation in UNNM activities by organizing capacity-strengthening workshops and dialogues on migration governance, focused on consular protection, trafficking prevention, and climate-related mobility. Additionally, humanitarian assistance and reintegration programmes, including partnerships with municipalities in the State of Táchira, have improved the well-being of migrants and returnees at the local level, promoting partnerships with stakeholders under the pan-social approach.
For 2025, IOM Venezuela has developed a Work Plan that aligns with the Venezuelan government's priorities and the GCM. This plan, set for governmental review, includes five key areas: consular protection for migrants, safe voluntary return and reintegration of returnees, governance of migration and international cooperation, disaster risk management related to climate change, and labour mobility policies.










Through strategic planning and a commitment to fostering strong, collaborative relationships, the Organization has achieved notable progress in its efforts. This progress is the outcome of a deliberate strategy focused on planning, actively engaging new partners, and inviting them to participate in various projects. Additionally, IOM has fostered more horizontal dialogue with partners, enabling the adaptation of projects to better align with their capacities and local contexts. This relationship has led to the creation of more opportunities for dialogue, communication, and feedback. Investments in time and resources have been directed towards strengthening the capacities of implementing partners in areas such as organizational development, economic and financial management, adherence to codes of conduct, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected populations, and the establishment of community feedback mechanisms.
Over the past two years, IOM Venezuela has made significant progress in advancing localization efforts, emphasizing collaboration with local and national actors to enhance the impact and sustainability of its initiatives.
Through strategic planning and a commitment to fostering strong, collaborative relationships, the Organization has achieved notable progress in its efforts. This progress is the outcome of a deliberate strategy focused on planning, actively engaging new partners, and inviting them to participate in various projects. Additionally, IOM has fostered more horizontal dialogue with partners, enabling the adaptation of projects to better align with their capacities and local contexts. This relationship has led to the creation of more opportunities for dialogue, communication, and feedback. Investments in time and resources have been directed towards strengthening the capacities of implementing partners in areas such as organizational development, economic and financial management, adherence to codes of conduct, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), accountability to affected populations, and the establishment of community feedback mechanisms.
Over the past two years, IOM Venezuela has made significant progress in advancing localization efforts, emphasizing collaboration with local and national actors to enhance the impact and sustainability of its initiatives. IOM Venezuela will continue to advance localization in line with the pillars of IOM’s Localization Framework:
1) Partnerships and Funding: IOM Venezuela works with a partnership portfolio that includes 20 local and national partners, thus highlighting a strong commitment to fostering partnerships. These partners primarily consist of NNGOs and INGOs, whose capacity has been progressively strengthened over time. Through these collaborations, IOM Venezuela has focused on enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions, ensuring that local actors are central to the implementation and impact of its programmes.
2) Capacity Strengthening and Mentoring: IOM has made significant investments to strengthen partner capacity in areas such as organizational development, financial management, PSEA, and community feedback mechanisms. In coordination with the country's humanitarian architecture, inter-agency reporting channels and feedback mechanisms have been strengthened. These efforts have enabled partners to improve internal systems and deliver more effective services to communities.
3) Participation: IOM has fostered horizontal dialogue with partners, creating opportunities for feedback and project adaptation to local contexts. This collaborative approach has been pivotal in building trust and ensuring that local insights directly influence the design and implementation of projects. IOM’s participatory approach also extends to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, ensuring that community feedback is actively incorporated into decision-making and project adjustments.
4) Coordination: IOM is actively involved in various coordination structures, including cluster groups and working groups such as camp coordination and camp management (CCCM), human trafficking, mental Health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and seeks to support local actor engagement in these platforms. Local actors are provided opportunities to contribute to discussions and decision-making processes, which helps to amplify their voices in humanitarian coordination efforts.
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Objective 1Saving lives
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Objective 2Solutions to displacement
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Objective 3Pathways for regular migration
Saving lives and protecting people on the move

IOM Venezuela will support vulnerable populations, particularly IDPs, migrants and returnees, by ensuring access to essential humanitarian assistance such as shelter, food, protection and health to meet their immediate needs and alleviate human suffering in transit, reception and collective centres across the country. These might be adapted as evacuation centres as part of preparedness activities for displacement due to sudden onset disasters. This approach includes strengthening protection mechanisms through community-based strategies that enhance safety and reduce threats and vulnerabilities for individuals at risk, particularly children and survivors of GBV and exploitation. Additionally, IOM aims to increase resilience by providing psychosocial support and mental health services. A conflict sensitive approach will be a key principle of IOM’s humanitarian response. Effective coordination among humanitarian actors and local authorities will be prioritized to ensure timely responses to the needs of people on the move, while data-driven approaches will inform interventions, ensuring they address the specific vulnerabilities of migrants and returnees, contributing to enhancing the quality of humanitarian assistance.
Driving solutions to displacement

IOM Venezuela supports displaced populations to progress towards durable solutions, focusing on both immediate needs and long-term recovery. The Organization will also promote access to livelihoods, training in entrepreneurship initiatives and professional and vocational training for Venezuelan returnees. Key activities will include the development of comprehensive reintegration plans and capacity strengthening activities that address the unique circumstances of returnees and internally displaced people, ensuring they can rebuild their lives with stability and dignity. To ensure the effectiveness of these interventions, IOM will integrate a comprehensive root cause analysis, addressing the multi-dimensional factors driving migration and displacement. This approach enables more systematic and data-driven assessment, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the unique circumstances of returnees and internally displaced people. Furthermore, initiatives will be implemented to enhance community resilience and foster social cohesion, thereby mitigating tensions between home communities and returnees. By strengthening partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders, IOM seeks to enhance the overall capacity for community stabilization and (re)integration, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable resolution of displacement challenges, including preparedness activities for slow onset crisis and disaster risk reduction in vulnerable communities.
Facilitating pathways for regular migration

Recognizing protracted crisis as a key driver of irregular migration, IOM Venezuela focuses on enhancing access to safe and regular migration pathways while empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their migration options. Key activities will include information dissemination and provision of safe and regular migration pathways and legal requirements, along with community initiatives designed to raise awareness about available regular migration pathways and opportunities. The Organization will foster partnerships with local authorities and civil society to advocate for policies that enhance and expand regular migration pathways. By creating more accessible and transparent pathways, the aim is to provide safer alternatives to dangerous, irregular migration routes, reducing migrants' vulnerability to violence, exploitation, and other forms of abuse. Furthermore, IOM will incorporate a component focused on the protection of labour migrants, emphasizing ethical recruitment practices to prevent exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking. This will include capacity strengthening for both government and private sector stakeholders to promote ethical recruitment practices and safeguard migrant workers from abuse and exploitation.
In addition, IOM Venezuela contributes to safe voluntary return and sustainable and dignified reintegration of Venezuelans migrants. However, as more restrictive migration policies in host countries have led to an increase in voluntary returns, urgent assistance and stronger social protection systems are needed to assist the most vulnerable individuals throughout this process. The actual instability and weakness infrastructure and social services poses specific challenges for sustainable reintegration. To address these, support is provided through assisted voluntary return and post-arrival activities, covering essential services such as transportation to their community of origin within Venezuela, mental health and psychosocial support, food, hygiene products, and accommodation.
Percentage of funding required contributing to the long term outcomes expressed on IOM's Strategic Results Framework.
Protection principles will be mainstreamed across interventions to ensure safety and dignity, avoid causing harm and guarantee meaningful access to assistance for all the persons in need, without discrimination. IOM Venezuela's interventions focus on promoting respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of migrants (including returnees, IDPs, as well as victims of trafficking, survivors of gender-based violence and migrant children facing child protection risks). Each programme promotes the mitigation of protection threats and the reduction of vulnerabilities, while also seeking to strengthen the capacities of individuals, communities and local authorities. IOM Venezuela provides support and technical advice to the government to improve its response to its obligations to protect and enforce the rights of the entire population.
IOM’s operations follow a rights-based approach, ensuring that all humanitarian assistance is delivered in a manner that upholds the rights and dignity of migrants.
Protection principles will be mainstreamed across interventions to ensure safety and dignity, avoid causing harm and guarantee meaningful access to assistance for all the persons in need, without discrimination. IOM Venezuela's interventions focus on promoting respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of migrants (including returnees, IDPs, as well as victims of trafficking, survivors of gender-based violence and migrant children facing child protection risks). Each programme promotes the mitigation of protection threats and the reduction of vulnerabilities, while also seeking to strengthen the capacities of individuals, communities and local authorities. IOM Venezuela provides support and technical advice to the government to improve its response to its obligations to protect and enforce the rights of the entire population.
IOM’s operations follow a rights-based approach, ensuring that all humanitarian assistance is delivered in a manner that upholds the rights and dignity of migrants. This approach is crucial in a context where access to basic services is severely limited. The Organization’s focus on "do no harm" ensures that no intervention exposes vulnerable migrants (including internally displaced persons and returnees) to additional risks. To do so, IOM Venezuela conducts risk assessments to identify potential protection risks and takes steps to mitigate them, making sure that its services or the services provided by its implementing partners are accessible and appropriate for all groups, including women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Meaningful access to assistance is a key priority. IOM Venezuela works to reduce barriers that prevent returning Venezuelan migrants from receiving services, such as the lack of documentation or reduced mobility. Additionally, the Organization actively engages with affected communities, ensuring that they participate in the design and implementation of interventions. This approach empowers affected population and vulnerable communities to be part of decision-making processes, ensuring that their needs and concerns are addressed in a manner that enhances their protection and resilience.
Accountability to affected populations (AAP) is a core aspect of IOM’s strategy. The Organization has established mechanisms that allow participants to provide feedback and raise concerns regarding the services they receive. These feedback channels are designed to be accessible (for example complaints boxes, face-to-face, inter-agency hotline), including to children, enabling affected populations to have a voice in the humanitarian response and ensuring that IOM remains responsive to their needs. IOM ensures that communities have relevant information and opportunities for participation in decision-making through various community-based programmes. This is achieved by conducting community diagnostics to better understand local needs and priorities. These assessments help tailor activities and projects to the specific context of each community, ensuring that interventions are aligned with their concerns. Additionally, IOM facilitates spaces for community engagement, such as meetings, feedback sessions, and consultation groups, allowing local populations to actively participate in shaping the response and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. To further safeguard migrants and vulnerable communities, IOM Venezuela has robust measures in place to ensure protection from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment (PSEAH). This includes comprehensive training for staff and partners on PSEAH standards, the implementation of clear reporting mechanisms for misconduct, implementation of a PSEAH risk checklist and the establishment of mitigation measures.
Gender, diversity, and inclusion are also central to IOM’s interventions. The Organization applies a gender-sensitive or a gender-responsive approach to its operations, ensuring that the specific needs of women and people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are met. In addition, it ensures that equitable access to basic, social protection, and humanitarian services is guaranteed. In line with IOM’s Institutional Framework for Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Crises, GBV risk mitigation is a shared responsibility and every sector and unit are attentive to potential GBV risks that may be heightened by interventions. To take the necessary actions to address the risk of exposure to GBV for all women, girls, and other vulnerable groups, trainings on GBV core concepts for key actors and communities and GBV risks assessments are performed among all services. Based on these assessments, IOM develops mitigation actions plans to periodically follow-up with the target population, implementing partners and key actors.
IOM also emphasizes child safeguarding, ensuring that children, particularly those unaccompanied and separated, are protected from harm, exploitation, and abuse. This includes the development of child protection protocols and a referral mechanism to specialized services. Furthermore, IOM integrates disability inclusion by ensuring that migrants with disabilities have access to tailored services, such as mobility aids and inclusive communication methods.
Through these comprehensive efforts, IOM ensures that its interventions in Venezuela promote safe, equitable, and inclusive protection outcomes for all crisis-affected populations.


Basic needs, including food and multi-purpose cash assistance Priority
IOM Venezuela proposes a multisectoral approach to the response that ensures access to basic needs through a network of assistance located at strategic points along migratory routes. Key activities include:
- Strengthening the capabilities of IOM's implementing partners and enhancing IOM's humanitarian network and operational standards (based on context and needs) at the Mobile Assistance Points (MAPs), Temporary Accommodation Centres (TACs) to ensure the provision of multisectoral assistance for people on the move.
- Provision of food, tailored to the specific context, addressing the basic need for sustenance over a designated period. This assistance will be delivered in a dignified, safe, diet-appropriate, and culturally sensitive manner, with quantities determined by the context, needs, and available resources.

Camp coordination and camp management
IOM in Venezuela leads the Site Coordination in the country and implements a comprehensive set of initiatives that enhance local capacities in CCCM. This effort focuses on ensuring adherence to high operational standards in transit, collective and reception sites that IOM manages through implementing partners (Ips) as well as promoting the upgrade of standards in sites managed by other UN Agencies and humanitarian partners. The standards are being upgraded in accordance with the Transit Centres Management Guide and CCCM Guide developed by IOM Venezuela. Key activities include:
- Targeted CCCM training and the creation of guidelines and protocols to strengthen the management capacities of implementing partners that manage IOM’s sites as well as UN Agencies, local civil society and international organizations and local government authorities working on CCCM through direct management of sites or with service provision to the sites. This aims to align with humanitarian standards, emphasizing quality multisectoral assistance, protection measures, data collection and management protocols, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and accountability to affected populations (AAP).
- Standardizing the management model of transit, collective and reception centres, with support from IOM, other UN agencies, and NGOs, which covers aspects such as physical space, waste management, water usage, and the provision of essential services, including food, accommodation, WASH, health, and protection.
- Provision of necessary equipment to enhance the environment for safe and dignified assistance, while ensuring that supplies and equipment meet the operational standards of transit centres.
- Development of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation tools to assess needs and establish minimum standards for temporary centres and assessment of needs in all the temporary sites managed by humanitarian partners in Venezuela.
- Advocacy in the clusters of the humanitarian structure in Venezuela as well as donor engagement to find ways to address the needs in temporary sites.
- Provision of strategic, technical and coordination support to the humanitarian inter-agency system via the CCCM Working Group, with particular emphasis on the local level and public institutions (Civil Protection, firefighters, 911 Venezuela), enabling the management of transit, collective, reception and evacuation centres in situations related to disaster response or other circumstances.

Health Priority
To address the health needs of vulnerable communities and individuals along migration routes, IOM is dedicated to enhancing access to essential health services. This initiative focuses on:
- Provision of primary healthcare services in vulnerable communities and along migratory routes. This includes primary health care at TACs/MAPs for people on the move, including returnees. Services will cover first aid, health assessments, vital signs monitoring, basic sexual and reproductive care, nutritional screening, maternal and child healthcare and safe referrals. It also includes the deployment of mobile health teams comprised of general practitioners, pediatricians, gynecologists, pharmacists and nurses to provide life-saving assistance for vulnerable populations in remote areas of border states, that face significant barriers to access the health system and are the most impacted by the crisis.
- Empowering local communities by strengthening the capacity of community health workers (CHWs) and frontline health staff through training, while conducting health promotion and disease prevention activities to enhance awareness, improve preventive practices, and foster resilience for better health outcomes.
- Improving healthcare infrastructure and ensuring the provision of medical equipment and medications to health centres and facilities to meet operational standards and enhance the delivery of quality health services.

Mental health and psychosocial support
IOM Venezuela’s mental health and psychosocial support programming is designed to enhance the resilience and well-being of crisis-affected communities, with a focus on addressing mental health needs and fostering long-term recovery. IOM emphasizes community-based interventions and specialist-led mental health care as part of a comprehensive response. Activities include:
- Psychological first aid and psychoeducational activities for awareness raising, for people on the move, provided at TAC/MAPs.
- Psychosocial mobile teams delivering unstructured and structured psychosocial support group activities aimed at strengthening individual, family and community resilience.
- Co-leadership of the MHPSS Technical Working Group (TWG) at the national level as part of the humanitarian coordination system.
- Community–based MHPSS activities such as socio-recreational, creative and arts-based, sports and play activities with the aim of fostering social cohesion among displaced, crisis-affected, and host populations.
- Focused MHPSS interventions, such as individual and group counselling and peer support, and psychoeducation designed to provide immediate psychosocial support and build coping mechanisms. Individual counselling is specifically provided for vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, women, people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) and those experiencing high levels of distress, in collaboration with local health professionals.
- Mental health interventions that are evidence-based, led by mental health specialists, focusing on early identification of mental health issues, the provision of essential care and referral to specialized mental health care for persons with severe mental health problems at a community level and at TACs and Safe Spaces.
- Capacity strengthening for local actors and authorities on community-based MHPSS in emergencies, specific evidence-based MHPSS tools (Mental Health Gap Action Programme [mhGAP], Problem Management Plus [PM+] among others), psychological first aid, basic intercultural communication and psychosocial skills ensuring sustainable and ongoing services.
These activities aim to improve both the immediate and long-term psychosocial well-being of affected populations by fostering resilience and coping strategies in crisis situations. with the tools to recover and thrive.

Movement assistance
IOM Venezuela offers post arrival movement assistance to Venezuelan migrant returnees at designated assistance points throughout the country:
- Provision of safe travel arrangements to support the return of individuals to their communities of origin, whether by land or air. Depending on their conditions and the route, movement assistance will be provided either through bus tickets or by arranging private transportation services.
- Dissemination of information about risks, migrants’ rights, and available support and services, along with referrals to relevant protection systems, including authorities, NGOs, and UN agencies.
- Delivery of complementary assistance, such as temporary accommodation and food support, to facilitate movement to the community of origin.

Protection Priority
IOM Venezuela's protection programming aims to address GBV and trafficking in persons through a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that spans from immediate humanitarian response to long-term recovery and capacity strengthening. As part of the Protection Cluster, IOM leads the working groups on trafficking in persons and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), focusing on preventing violence, strengthening local capacities, and ensuring the safety and well-being of affected populations. Relevant activities include:
- Infrastructure improvement and capacity strengthening, led by specialized IOM protection staff, for local authorities to enhance their ability to safely and ethically link survivors to available specialized services/referral pathways in the case of a disclosure of GBV and trafficking cases. Improvements to the structures of the government's care facilities will be carried out in close collaboration with local authorities and service providers, thus ensuring the implementation is aligned with local and national development plans and integrated within existing infrastructures. These improvements consider long-term needs and possible future expansion or adaptation.
- Case management services for survivors of GBV and trafficking, ensuring holistic support including health, legal, and MHPSS as part of specialized protection.
- Shelters for VoT and GBV survivors to support them with essential and specialized protection services for recovery. Based on the IOM Handbook on Direct Assistance for Victims of Trafficking and the Guide for Temporary Shelter Spaces for Victims of Human Trafficking in Venezuela, these facilities are specialized in the care of victims of human trafficking and survivors of gender-based violence.
- Women and Girls Safe Spaces (static and mobile) for the protection and empowerment of women and girls, especially those affected by crisis, where they have access to information, education, recreational activities, feel physically and emotionally safe to form networks, and receive support and services culturally-appropriate and tailored to the context.
- Strengthening community networks for GBV and trafficking prevention, focusing on empowering women's groups and conducting community sensitization campaigns.
- Protection analysis to assess and respond to ongoing risks, with an emphasis on safeguarding individuals and groups in vulnerable situations, including women, children, and individuals with disabilities.
- Awareness-raising on human trafficking, legal guidance, safe migration information, and education on humanitarian principles in TACs and Safe Spaces.
- Rights-based assisted voluntary return and reintegration assistance will be provided to support Venezuelan populations who are unable or unwilling to remain in the host country where they reside and need help to return voluntarily to their communities, in a safe and dignified manner. The assistance provided in Venezuela includes the reception of returnees upon their arrival, the management of the transfer to their places of destination or residence, provision of food, delivery of hygiene kits, information materials, economic support for livelihoods, training, rental support, psychological first aid and other psychosocial support, both on arrival and during their (re)integration process.
IOM’s protection interventions not only respond to immediate needs but also build resilience and preparedness for future crises, integrate gender mainstreaming as a key element in all activities, and promote sustainable recovery and gender equality.

Water, sanitation and hygiene
IOM aims to enhance access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for migrants, promoting a safer and disease-free migration experience. IOM also supports WASH interventions in primary healthcare facilities for vulnerable populations in border states affected by the crisis. Key activities include:
- Hygiene and sanitation support involving the distribution of essential hygiene products, including menstrual hygiene and maternity supplies, alongside basic hygiene kits and provision of shower facilities at transit centres.
- Water access and management ensuring hydration support at mobile assistance points and transit centres, along with the distribution of water filters and training on their proper use.
- Education and community engagement focusing on promoting good hygiene practices through educational workshops and outreach activities and expanding the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Strategy to share best practices in hygiene and sanitation.
- Infrastructure development in transit centres includes the development of maintenance plans for sanitation facilities in temporary shelters in accordance with National WASH Cluster guidelines and implementation of standardized waste management procedures for solid and liquid waste.
- WASH interventions in health facilities, which include rehabilitations, infection prevention and control activities, provision of supplies and tools, and capacity strengthening for the health centre personnel.

Shelter and settlements Priority
To ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in transit, IOM is committed to providing comprehensive multi-sectoral assistance and enhancing the infrastructure of transit centres. This approach focuses on creating safe spaces and ensuring access to essential services. Key activities include:
- Provision of safe and dignified accommodation at TACs that will also allow beneficiaries to access other multisectoral services provided in TACs, such as food, health and MHPSS, legal support or humanitarian transportation and communication, among others.
- Distribution of non-food items at TACs, including hygiene and menstrual kits/items and maternity supplies, as well as general items such as flashlights or backpacks among others.
- Rehabilitation and maintenance of facilities at TACs to ensure safe and dignified assistance and protection, including preventive maintenance of water, sanitation, and electricity systems. This includes ensuring functionality through the provision of necessary supplies and equipment.

Data for action, insight and foresight Priority
Data is a critical asset for the national and international community in Venezuela, supporting evidence-based decision-making, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and informing strategic and operational programming. It also plays a key role in advocacy with stakeholders and donors. The main activities include:
- Monitoring migration flows and conducting surveys to assess the needs of migrants, IDPs, and returnees, using methods such as interviews, surveys, and field visits, with data disaggregated by sex and location. Additionally, IOM will analyze migration trends, patterns and human mobility at Venezuela’s borders to support protection efforts and assess climate vulnerability to incorporate climate risks into migration planning.
- Carrying out thematic studies tailored to the country’s information needs, providing deeper insights into specific issues such as vulnerability, protection, and climate-related displacement.
- Support to data collection and mapping of needs and vulnerabilities along migration routes and in affected communities (transit/host) to contribute to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO).
- Provision of figures, data, analysis, and statistics to support the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) process, ensuring informed decision-making and guiding the development of policies for an effective response.
- Keeping donors and stakeholders updated on migration trends and migrant profiles, ensuring that stakeholders are informed on the evolving migration situation to guide funding and programmatic decisions.

Disaster risk management
To enhance the preparedness and capacity of communities and institutions for future disaster-related challenges, IOM will implement these key activities:
- Community preparedness and planning involves promoting contingency plans and community response strategies to ensure a thorough analysis of threats, risks, and vulnerabilities, while also supporting the development of information management and coordination mechanisms.
- Risk assessment and early warning systems will strengthen community early warning systems by integrating technical knowledge with traditional practices and will support local hazard assessments along with tailored emergency preparedness simulations to better prepare for climate-related challenges.
- Capacity strengthening and training aims to enhance stakeholder capacities using the Mass Evacuation in Natural Disasters (MEND) Guide and to provide training for communities in selecting safe locations for shelters and WASH facilities, with consideration for climate resilience.
- Prepositioning and resource management focuses on stockpiling lifesaving and humanitarian relief supplies, including shelter materials, WASH items, essential household items, and health supplies, to ensure rapid deployment in emergencies.

Community stabilization and community-driven development
IOM Venezuela prioritizes community-based interventions to promote sustainable reintegration through area based approaches (ABA) using IOM’s Community Based Planning Manual as a reference. The Organization works to help address the root causes of crises and displacement through conflict-sensitive activities that apply a humanitarian-development-peace nexus (HDPN) approach, while strengthening relationships between communities and local institutions to support community stabilization. Communities are selected based on criteria such as high levels of internal displacement, areas of migrant returns, and other factors that indicate vulnerability or need. Key activities include:
- Rehabilitation of basic and community infrastructure such as health care facilities, schools, and community spaces to promote social inclusion, while revitalizing local markets through food security initiatives that foster self-sufficiency and social cohesion between host communities and returnees.
- Social cohesion and community engagement activities that restore social bonds, including sports, cultural events, and civic dialogue, particularly in indigenous communities where traditional practices and worldviews are integrated, alongside the development of projects or initiatives aimed at fostering ties among community members and enhancing coordination with local authorities.
- Access to quality education is promoted by providing resources and support, including the distribution of school kits to children and adolescents, which fosters an environment conducive to learning and community engagement.

Livelihoods and economic recovery
IOM's livelihoods and economic recovery initiatives aim to support vulnerable communities by providing sustainable income opportunities and promoting self-sufficiency. These efforts help reintegrate individuals exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse, especially women, children, adolescents, and indigenous communities, particularly in areas affected by mining-related protection risks. By integrating protection measures into community livelihood projects, IOM enhances safety and resilience, while fostering local entrepreneurship and economic recovery tailored to specific needs and market conditions. IOM will focus on:
- Implementation of livelihoods initiatives in urban and rural settings focused on supporting IDPs, returnees and indigenous communities to facilitate reintegration and provide sustainable income sources. In areas where protection risks are heightened due to mining activities, these efforts will also serve as mechanisms for protection, self-sustainability and social cohesion.
- Community participation and protection measures integrated with community livelihood initiatives to enhance safety and resilience. A community-based participatory approach will identify entrepreneurship opportunities and economic recovery activities tailored to local contexts, market demands, and feasibility.
- Skills training and resources include offering technical training in financial literacy, small business management, business planning, and basic accounting skills. Additionally, providing seed capital, equipment, and supplies will help initiate livelihood activities.
- Private sector engagement and monitoring with a focus on encouraging private sector involvement in reintegration and economic recovery efforts to strengthen local economies. Establishing customized monitoring plans to track progress and outcomes will be crucial for promoting community cohesion and enhancing organizational capacity through these initiatives.

Integrated policy support
To promote effective migration policies, IOM aims to enhance collaboration among key actors and ensure policies are informed by evidence, focusing on addressing the mobility dimensions of crisis and promoting the inclusion of the specific needs of affected populations in policy development and governance. Key activities include:
- Stakeholder engagement and capacity strengthening involves organizing workshops and forums that bring together government officials, NGOs, and community representatives to collaboratively develop policies and share best practices. Training programmes for policymakers will enhance their capacity for informed decision-making on effective migration and displacement strategies.
- Strengthening the government's migration framework by promoting the design and development of policies that incorporate regional approaches, such as those within the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR in Spanish). Monitoring and evaluation systems will be established to assess the effectiveness of policies and allow for adjustments based on feedback and changing circumstances.
- Advocacy and public awareness initiatives will focus on launching campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of integrated policies and their implications for vulnerable populations. Furthermore, efforts will be made to increase public awareness about policy changes and develop regional strategies to foster support for the implementation of policies that include international perspectives and collaborations.

Support services for response actors
IOM plays a key role in supporting the humanitarian response in Venezuela by providing critical data, analysis, and coordination across migration routes and affected communities. Key activities include:
- Collaborating with Clusters and Technical Working Groups to inform strategic and operational decision-making, enhancing technical cooperation, improving resource allocation, and ensuring responses align with priority needs across all sectors, facilitating effective collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders to ensure efficient and well-aligned responses.
- Strengthening the capacities of local and national governments by providing training and support to partners.
- Establishing partnerships with local organizations to enhance the localization strategy, focusing on context-driven and sustainable humanitarian responses, including promoting regular pathways for migration to provide safer and more accessible alternatives to irregular migration routes.

Peacebuilding, violence and conflict reduction
Fostering peace and social cohesion involves celebrating cultural inclusion and diversity and equipping communities with conflict resolution skills. Communities will be selected based on criteria such as high levels of internal displacement, areas with significant migrant returns, and other factors indicating vulnerability or need. Key activities include:
- Cultural exchange initiatives that celebrate diversity and encourage interaction among different communities, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
- Workshops focused on conflict resolution that equip community members with essential skills to address disputes peacefully, promoting a culture of dialogue.
- Collaboration with local organizations to enhance support for grassroots peace initiatives, including youth-led projects that aim to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion.

Regular pathways
Accessible and sufficient regular migration pathways are essential for ensuring safe and orderly movements, especially for crisis-affected populations. By promoting regular and safe migration channels, and providing support services, organizing outreach and information provision among others, individuals at risk of displacement can access safer alternatives and make informed choices to avoid dangerous routes and risks. Key activities include:
- Develop comprehensive support systems to provide relevant, accurate, and timely information and guidance, helping the affected population to make informed decisions that prioritize their safety, thereby reducing reliance on dangerous and irregular routes, including legal advice and orientation for migrants to access existing regular pathways.
- Training sessions to strengthen Government officials' knowledge of labour migration regulations and practices. It includes sharing practices on teleworking, improving labour migration management, promoting ethical recruitment and fair labour agreements, raising awareness of ethical hiring, and enhancing systems for validating degrees and competencies to facilitate migrants’ access to formal employment, as well as existing regular pathways, human rights, available services and referral mechanisms.
- Community outreach initiatives to raise awareness about safe migration options to help individuals recognize the risks of illegal practices, seeking to reduce exploitation and trafficking.
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
The map used here is for illustration purposes only. Names and boundaries do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM.
Figures are as of November 2024. For more details of IOM's operational capacity in country, please see the IOM Capacity section.